Successful Labelexpo Europe 2023 Concludes in Brussels

The first edition of Labelexpo Europe since 2019 has closed on a high note, with a total of 637 exhibitors taking part in the show, which took place between Sept. 11-14, at Brussels Expo in Belgium.

Spread across nine halls and covering 36,588 sqm of floor place, this year’s show featured over 250 product launches focused particularly on flexible packaging, digitization and automation.

The heatwave in Brussels did not deter 35,889 visitors from 138 countries attending the four-day show. Coun-tries such as Germany, France and Italy were especially well represented, with large visitor delegations.

Equipment manufacturers announced multiple sales across the four days and an exhibitor rebook rate of 96% was reported for Labelexpo Europe 2025.

Demonstrating how Labelexpo Europe is evolving into a package printing show, digital printing of paper-based flexible packaging materials was evident on the show floor, with paper-based packaging printed by Xeikon on the new TX-500 Titon toner press and Screen on the Truepress Pac520P – seen for the first time at a Labelex-po.

HP launched the 200k mid-web digital press, successor to the hugely successful HP Indigo 20000. The compa-ny also ran a ‘digital pouch factory’ ecosystem demonstrating pouch manufacture and finishing of other unsup-ported films including shrink sleeve labels.

Flexo made a major comeback at this show, with Nilpeter, Lombardi and BOBST demonstrating printing of flexi-ble packaging and unsupported label film materials on 26in/670mm mid-web UV flexo press lines on the show floor. OMET made the show debut of its KFlex modular flexo platform and Mark Andy launched the Pro Series flexo press, upgradable to a hybrid machine.

Jade Grace, managing director, Labelexpo Global Series, comments, “We’ve just delivered Labelexpo Europe 2023 after a four-year break and what a show it has been! The feedback we have received from visitors and exhibitors alike has consistently shown the high quality of leads, enquiries and contacts made at the show, with an incredible number of sales secured on the exhibition floor. We have also secured a rebook rate of 96% for Labelexpo Europe 2025, which bodes well for our first show in Barcelona.”

Continues Grace, “I would like to thank all our exhibitors for your partnership and commitment in supporting the diverse and exciting industry of labels and package printing, together with us. Thank you to all who visited from 138 countries, and to our association and media partners.”

“It has been the hardest show yet for us to deliver, but the most rewarding. We are looking forward to the next chapter in 2025 where we will be bringing Labelexpo Europe to its new home at the Fira in Barcelona, with many plans to stimulate growth and collaboration in the industry.”

Echoing this sentiment, Jules Lejeune, managing director, FINAT says, “FINAT was once again proud to be the lead association partner of Labelexpo Europe this year. In spite of the heat at the beginning of the show, there was a vibrant mood and general state of pleasure especially among the overseas visitors to reconnect with the global label community after such a long absence.

“For us, Labelexpo is always an excellent opportunity to meet with members, potential members and other in-terested parties and to engage in conversations about our current and future programmes, and to recruit mem-bers and enlist volunteers for our working groups and taskforces. This year, we featured our efforts to facilitate value chain collaboration on sustainability such as CELAB-Europe, UV FoodSafe and Product Carbon Footprint, and to act as spokesperson of the label industry towards European legislators and stakeholders.”

Continues Lejeune, “We will miss the Atomium and the World Expo 1958 building as the background images for many selfies taken during the show, but we are convinced that the Fira and its Olympic Montjuich will be a wor-thy replacement in 2025.”

Noam Zilbershtain, VP and general manager of HP Indigo & Scitex says, “It’s through trade shows like Labelex-po, industry leaders have the opportunity to connect, network and discuss the trends driving our industry, such as digital innovation and sustainability. I love being in the thick of it all connecting with our customers and part-ners.

“This year, we were thrilled to have the opportunity to showcase the leading LEPx-based HP Indigo V12 and HP Indigo 200K digital presses for the first time in Europe. This was also a key moment for us to showcase the HP Indigo First mindset and how it can deliver flexibility at speed for converters.”

Zilbershtain adds, “It was also a pleasure speaking with peers within the print industry, discussing how we are committed to making bold moves that push innovation boundaries and deliver value for customers. The label Industry is now poised to become the first fully digital industry, and it is through digital print solutions we will transform businesses globally.”

Pierre Dogliani, R&D innovation manager, NW Europe, Flint Group, who spoke at the sustainable labels and packaging master class, says, “Engaging in this educational platform has been a truly enriching experience, and it’s been very inspiring to observe the immense enthusiasm among participants when exploring the realm of sustainable inks and coatings. I believe these insights offered attendees a broader and more informed perspec-tive on sustainability in the label industry.”